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HOW HAS THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DEVELOPED?
Intro
The European Parliament, which derives its legitimacy from direct elections every five years, has steadily acquired greater influence and power through a series of treaties. These treaties, particularly the 1992 Maastricht Treaty and 1997 Amsterdam Treaty, have transformed the European Parliament from a purely consultative assembly into a more legislative parliament, exercising powers similar to those of national parliaments. Today the EP, as an equal partner with the Council of Ministers, passes the majority of EU laws - laws that affect the lives of Europe's citizens.
Consultation Procedure(SEA)
- Ensures all legislation is discussed in EP with an opinion given before final decision is made.
- EP mere talking shop
CO-operation procedure (Maastricht)
- EP can demand a unanimous vote from the council on certain issues.
- Cannot block legislation, simply make ratification harder.
Co-decision Procedure (Amsterdam)
- Gives the EP equal status with the Council in specific areas
- E.g. single market, health, education, and environment.
- significantly increases the power of the EP despite the remaining weaknesses such as lack of authority from popular vote and the inability to act on all policy areas such as defence and taxation.
Holding commission to account
As well as the increase in decision making powers, the EP is gaining in its ability of holding the Commission to account.
- 1999 – EP asserted itself effectively for the first time in its history.
- Faced by revelations of corruption, nepotism and sleaze within the Commission, the EP demanded its dismissal and this resulted in the resignation of the Santer commission.
- 2004 – forced Buttiglione to step down
- 2005 – put commissioners under greater scrutiny of gifts they receive.
- Although Barroso survived the motion of censure, it shows the increasing might of the EP to use its powers.
- Commission is subject to closer scrutiny by standing committees.
- must take account of MEPs reactions.
Legislation
- During the 1990s the EP increasingly proposed its own legislation, especially on issues such as social and environmental measures. This points the way to a possible future expansion of MEP roles.
Budgetary role
- Examine the annual budget. Non compulsory expenditure decided by EP if no agreement with Council.
e.g. overseas aid.
Party groupings
- Party groupings have also become more meaningful.
- E.g. Socialist groups act together effectively in the field of workers rights and the Conservative ‘Peoples Party’s’ focus on agricultural affairs.
- This shows an increased degree of cooperation between international parties within the EP.
Conclusion
Remains largely an influential body rather than a real decision making power. The constitution would have doubled the number of co-decision areas. E.g. CAP spending. + power to approve choice of president of EC.
WHY IS THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SO WEAK?
Intro
Despite recent increases in power for the EP, its main criticism remains its weakness in relation to the rest of the EU. Throughout its existence, member states have always sought to hold back EP powers for fear of weakening national sovereignty.
VERY LARGE UNWIELDY BODY
- 732 members – divided along political, national and regional lines.
- Parliaments need a degree of coherence to act decisively
- No sense of “government and opposition”
EXECUTIVE OF EU NOT DRAWN FROM PARLIAMENT
- Two branches completely separated
- prevents executive from dominating
- decision makers do not rely on support of EP – can be forced through if council is determined enough
MEPS HAVE NO CLEAR MANDATES (and low turnout)
- Elected on the basis of national rather than EU political allegiance
- Voters have limited knowledge of EU issues – therefore EP cannot claim authority
- Popular authority of elected ministers in council may be stronger
- As a representative body it can reflect fluctuating interests but lacks legitimacy
- Parliament has influence rather than power.
REAL POWER LIES WITH THE COUNCIL
- Bodies not accountable to EP, only own Parliament.
COMPLEX EU DECISIONS
- MEPs have less expertise in areas than members of council
NO REAL LEADERS
- no figure head to unify the Parliament
- difficult to interact with external bodies
- e.g. difficult presenting a coherent case for Third World.
Conclusion
In order to strengthen democracy, the EP has and will continue to increase in power. The constitution would have doubled the number of co-decision areas.
THE EP REMAINS LARGELY A TALKING SHOP. DISCUSS
Intro
The EP, which derives its legitimacy from direct elections every five years, has steadily acquired greater influence and power through a series of treaties. These treaties, particularly the 1992 Maastricht Treaty and 1997 Amsterdam Treaty, have transformed the EP from a purely consultative assembly into a more legislative parliament, exercising powers similar to those of national parliaments. Today the EP, as an equal partner with the Council of Ministers, passes the majority of EU laws - laws that affect the lives of Europe's citizens. Despite this increase in powers, it can still be criticized for lacking real power
WEAK
REAL POWER LIES WITH THE COUNCIL
- Bodies not accountable to EP, only own Parliament.
COMPLEX EU DECISIONS
- MEPs have less expertise in areas than members of council
NO REAL LEADERS
- no figure head to unify the Parliament
- difficult to interact with external bodies
- e.g. difficult presenting a coherent case for Third World.
EXECUTIVE OF EU NOT DRAWN FROM PARLIAMENT
- Two branches completely separated
- prevents executive from dominating
- decision makers do not rely on support of EP – can be forced through if council is determined enough
MEPS HAVE NO CLEAR MANDATES (and low turnout)
- Elected on the basis of national rather than EU political allegiance
- Voters have limited knowledge of EU issues – therefore EP cannot claim authority
- Popular authority of elected ministers in council may be stronger
- As a representative body it can reflect fluctuating interests but lacks legitimacy
- Parliament has influence rather than power.
NOT WEAK
Co-decision Procedure (Amsterdam)
- Gives the EP equal status with the Council in specific areas
- E.g. single market, health, education, and environment.
- significantly increases the power of the EP despite the remaining weaknesses such as lack of authority from popular vote and the inability to act on all policy areas such as defence and taxation.
Holding commission to account
As well as the increase in decision making powers, the EP is gaining in its ability of holding the Commission to account.
- 1999 – EP asserted itself effectively for the first time in its history.
- Faced by revelations of corruption, nepotism and sleaze within the Commission, the EP demanded its dismissal and this resulted in the resignation of the Santer commission.
- 2004 – forced Buttiglione to step down
- 2005 – put commissioners under greater scrutiny of gifts they receive.
- Although Barroso survived the motion of censure, it shows the increasing might of the EP to use its powers.
- Commission is subject to closer scrutiny by standing committees.
- must take account of MEPs reactions.
Legislation
- During the 1990s the EP increasingly proposed its own legislation, especially on issues such as social and environmental measures. This points the way to a possible future expansion of MEP roles.
Budgetary role
- Examine the annual budget. Non compulsory expenditure decided by EP if no agreement with Council.
Party groupings
- Party groupings have also become more meaningful.
- E.g. Socialist groups act together effectively in the field of workers rights and the Conservative ‘Peoples *Party’s’ focus on agricultural affairs.
- This shows an increased degree of cooperation between international parties within the EP.
Conclusion
Remains largely an influential body rather than a real decision making power. The constitution would have doubled the number of co-decision areas. E.g. CAP spending. + power to approve choice of president of EC.
Comments
These notes are aimed at people studying for Edexcel A Level Government and Politics, unit 5A.
Originally submitted by shes_ellectric on TSR Forums.
